That's the word from Leavitt Theatre owners Maureen and Peter Clayton, who confirmed Tuesday that their kickstarter campaign raised the $60,000 needed to convert the theater to digital technology so that it could continue showing first-run films.

Any money pledged beyond the $60,000 goal prior to the Nov. 30 deadline, the Claytons said, will help fund additional improvements in the theater, including electrical upgrades necessary for the digital projectors and air conditioning for those hot summer nights.

The Leavitt is the last movie theater operating between Newington, NH and Biddeford.

Peter Clayton, who purchased the Leavitt in 1976, said he has already gone through one industry-wide technical turn-over during his 38-year span of ownership. That was when he updated the carbon arc 35mm film projectors to the 35mm projectors lit by xenon bulbs. Peter said he is confident that his family and technical staff will meet this next challenge of training, learning and mastering the new digital technology.

Ogunquit has served as a backdrop for much of Peter and Maureen Clayton's lives. Peter and his sister Judy grew up spending each summer at their parents' seasonal home on Ledge Road in Ogunquit. Peter was born one summer at Maine General in Portland.

Maureen met Peter while stopping in Ogunquit as part of a cross-country excursion with a girlfriend following their graduation from college. The following summer Maureen moved her belongings and her southern accent into a room above Maxwells and began working for Rody and Libby at the Ad Lib in the Cove. Peter was working as a waiter for Richard Perkins in his first year at Clay Hill Farm. It was that year that the Leavitt Theater went up for sale. After some conversation with Maureen, Peter became what he believes is Leavitt Theatre's third owner on Aug. 1, 1976.

While Peter took over some of the financial duties, the Leavitt staff continued to operate through the summer under the management of Bob Garvey, who returned to his profession as a school teacher after Labor Day, leaving everything in Peter's hands. Peter and Maureen were married in October of that same year. The Clayton family story continues with Peter and Maureen's two sons, Max and Ian, growing up working at the Leavitt.

To make a contribution to the kickstarter campaign, go to www.kickstarter.com/projects/1183314106/the-leavitt-theatre-ogunquit-digital-or-dark.

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